2 minute read
In the Home
from Yesterday in Energy
by NEED Project
Objective Students will be able to make a museum exhibit that tells the story of how people have heated, cooled, and lighted their homes and businesses in the last 100-150 years and the energy sources they have used.
& Background People have always needed to store and cook their food, wash their clothes, and clean their homes. Today, we have refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, stoves, water heaters, vacuums, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and indoor toilets—every kind of modern convenience. Electricity and natural gas are the main power sources. How did people run their homes before all this technology was invented? What energy sources did they use? Your museum exhibit will show the different ways people have kept house during the last 100-150 years.
? Major Points How did people store and cook their food? How did people heat water? Was life different in the country from life in the city? What kinds of energy sources did people use? How are things different today?
Let’s Go Step One—Research Your Topic First, gather information from The Dark Ages—Life Before Electricity, research, and older people you know to answer the questions above. Next, organize your information by topic. An index card for each topic works well. Finally, as a group, decide which points are the most important and put a star (*) by those. Step Two—Make Your Exhibit As a group, talk about ways to illustrate the most important facts—the ones you have starred (*). Try to think of several different ways to tell your story—don’t just use pictures. The most interesting exhibits have a variety of things to look at, read, and touch. Some things you can use are: poster boards, costumes, pictures, old photographs, drawings, graphs, models or dioramas, interviews, or even a video clip. Step Three—Write Your Script Write a three minute script about your topic. Make sure you cover the major points you starred (*). Use short, clear sentences that your audience will find interesting. You might want to tell a story to present your information. Time your script, speaking slowly and clearly. Your script should be three minutes long. If it is too short, add more information. If it is too long, decide which information can be taken out. Give your finished script to your teacher for approval. Make copies of your script for each member of the group. Every member of the group must be able to present your script and exhibit. Each member should practice until he/she can make the presentation without reading from the script. Each member should practice presenting to the other members of the group. Be sure to time each other. Give positive comments and help each other with any problems. Step Four—Presentation When it is your turn to make the presentation, be ready to go. Speak slowly and clearly. Speak loudly enough for everyone to hear. Point to or demonstrate your exhibit as you talk about it. Ask if there are any questions when you are finished. Thank your tour group when it is time for them to move on to the next exhibit.
